Bengals vs. Browns injury report, NFL Week 18 odds: Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Baker Mayfield out; spread, total shift dramatically

At one point, the total for Sunday's Cincinnati at Cleveland NFL Week 18 matchup was as high as 46 points at Caesars Sportsbook. With the news that the Bengals will be without quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Joe Mixon, among others, and the Browns without QB Baker Mayfield, likely among others, that total has dropped all the way to 38 points as of this writing – weather also will be a factor. The Browns were 3-point dogs but are now -5.5 with the Burrow news today. 

Cleveland has nothing to play for as it has been eliminated from playoff contention and Mayfield is going to have surgery to repair the torn labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder, an injury he has played through since Week 2. Mayfield regressed big time this year and perhaps that's part of the reason why.

In Monday's loss in Pittsburgh, Mayfield was an awful 16-for-38 for 185 yards with two picks and nine sacks taken. The former Heisman winner became the first NFL QB since 2019 to throw 10 consecutive incompletions and the first since 2017 to be sacked at least five times and have five passes batted down at the line of scrimmage in the same game. Case Keenum will start under center Sunday. The Browns figure to sit any other starters who are remotely injured.

Mixon tested positive for COVID so he was going to sit regardless, and Burrow told reporters Wednesday that he's not playing Sunday to rest up for the postseason. Cincinnati is the AFC North champ and technically has a shot at the AFC's top seed but would need a win and essentially miracle results in a few other games to get it. A Kansas City victory on Saturday in Denver would officially end any Bengals chances of the top seed and the Chiefs figure to win that game.

Burrow has 971 passing yards in his past two games, surpassing Phil Simms (945 passing yards in Weeks 5-6, 1985) for the second-most passing yards by a quarterback in a two-game span ever. Only Dak Prescott (974 passing yards in Weeks 3-4, 2020) had more. Burrow (4,611 yards) had an outside shot of winning the passing yardage title but only if the Bucs rested Tom Brady (4,990) in Week 18. Mixon is third in the NFL with 16 total touchdowns and second in rushing (1,205 yards).

Brandon Allen will start at QB for the Bengals, who likely sit several other players because of having to play on wild-card weekend. If chalk held, Cincinnati would host Indianapolis.

According to weather.com, things could be a bit ugly in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon with steady light rain in the morning and showers continuing in the afternoon – snow may mix in. Winds will be WSW from 15-25 mph.

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